Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 3–5
Prefixes That Mean Not Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-5 on negative prefixes: un-, dis-, non-, and mis-, which flip a word to its opposite or negative meaning. Students add the right prefix to eight base words, then explain six meanings. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 3–5
Skill Focus
Prefixes That Mean Not, word parts
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A prefix is a word part added to the front of a word to change its meaning, and several prefixes mean not or the opposite: un- (unhappy), dis- (disagree), non- (nonstop), and mis- (misspell = spell wrongly). This worksheet teaches students to use these negative prefixes to build opposite and negative words.
Section A gives eight base words with a meaning hint (___ + kind = not kind) and asks students to add un-, dis-, non-, or mis- to make the negative word. The reference box teaches each prefix with its own examples not reused in the items, and notes that English usually pairs each word with just one prefix.
Section B asks students to explain the meaning of four prefixed words and to state what un- and mis- mean. Page 3 is a complete answer key. The skill grows vocabulary by helping students understand and build many words from a base.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and build a couple of negative words from base words together.
Complete Section A independently – have students try the prefix that sounds right for each base word.
Work Section B item 13 together: un- means not or the opposite.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Prefixes Worksheet or the Suffixes Worksheet for a word-parts mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Prefixes That Mean Not Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 3-5 on negative prefixes: un-, dis-, non-, and mis-, which flip a word to its opposite or negative meaning. Students add the right prefix to eight base words, then explain six meanings. A complete answer key is included.
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